Linac4 low energy beam measurements with negative hydrogen ions.

Linac4, a 160 MeV normal-conducting H(-) linear accelerator, is the first step in the upgrade of the beam intensity available from the LHC proton injectors at CERN. The Linac4 Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) line from the pulsed 2 MHz RF driven ion source, to the 352 MHz RFQ (Radiofrequency Quadrupole) has been built and installed at a test stand, and has been used to transport and match to the RFQ a pulsed 14 mA H(-) beam at 45 keV. A temporary slit-and-grid emittance measurement system has been put in place to characterize the beam delivered to the RFQ. In this paper a description of the LEBT and its beam diagnostics is given, and the results of beam emittance measurements and beam transmission measurements through the RFQ are compared with the expectation from simulations.

Status and operation of the Linac4 ion source prototypes.

CERN's Linac4 45 kV H(-) ion sources prototypes are installed at a dedicated ion source test stand and in the Linac4 tunnel. The operation of the pulsed hydrogen injection, RF sustained plasma, and pulsed high voltages are described. The first experimental results of two prototypes relying on 2 MHz RF-plasma heating are presented. The plasma is ignited via capacitive coupling, and sustained by inductive coupling. The light emitted from the plasma is collected by viewports pointing to the plasma chamber wall in the middle of the RF solenoid and to the plasma chamber axis. Preliminary measurements of optical emission spectroscopy and photometry of the plasma have been performed. The design of a cesiated ion source is presented. The volume source has produced a 45 keV H(-) beam of 16-22 mA which has successfully been used for the commissioning of the Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT), Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator, and chopper of Linac4.

[Cervical pain and proprioceptive sensitivity]. / Cervicalgie e sensibilità propriocettiva.

With the intent of estimating the proprioceptive sensitivity of the cervical rachis, the Authors subjected 17 healthy volunteers and 20 patients suffering from various cervical disorders to a clinical head positioning test, which was previously experimented upon by several french Authors was modified under certain aspects by our equipe. The test, consists in flexion and extension of the head after maximal rotations to the left and right, then repositioning the head at the starting point "0" which corresponds to the crossing point of two orthogonal axis of a target. The positions are marked on the target by a laser beam situated on the helmet worn by the subject undergoing testing. The results obtained corresponding to the errors committed regarding point "0", permit us to confirm the reliability of the test and significant definitions between the control group and the patients suffering from cervical disorders.

[Apudomas: nosographic and physiopathological aspects]. / Apudomi. Aspetti nosografici e fisiopatologici.

The authors intend to contribute to the knowledge of this complex and in part not fully defined subject of apudomas, in particular with regard to classification criteria and physiopathological aspects. After having examined the characteristics of these neoplasias (probably common embryonal origin, similar radioimmunological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics, the capacity to convert amine precursors into amines), the authors focus on the most significant aspect of these carcinoids which, in the light of current knowledge, possess varying but undisputed degrees of biological aggressiveness. They also highlight the importance of the gastroenteric tract as an organ with an endocrine function and lastly affirm the value of the classification which, using the pancreas as the reference organ, distinguishes endocrine neoplasias in this tract into entopic and ectotopic examples.

[Phyllodes breast tumors: apropos 2 cases]. / I tumori filloidi della mammella: a proposito di due casi.

The observation of two cases of phyllode tumors of the breast, one benign and the other malignant, brought the Authors to focus the fundamental aspects of these neoplasias. The histologic coexistence of both epithelial and connectival components, a relative unpredictable clinical evolution, the high frequency of recurrences, the stromal hyperproduction and modifications as expression of malignancy, and the need for large excisions are the fundamental characteristics of these tumors, which are considered transitional forms between benignity and malignancy.

[Indications and surgical treatment of Crohn disease]. / Indicazioni e trattamento chirurgico del morbo di Crohn.

On the basis of their experience (a series of 21 surgical approaches), the authors subdivide the indications for surgical treatment into absolutes and relatives. They recommend to operate also for relative indications in order to improve the patient's way of life, avoiding the establishment of extensive adhesions, under-nourishment and invalid subocclusive symptomatology. As the surgical treatment is not curative and is burdened from repeated operations, the authors suggest using a conservative surgery. They confirm the uninfluence, to prevent fistula and/or local recurrence, to carry out an anastomosis on healthy or slightly macroscopic disease tissues.

Quantitative evaluation of the brain electrical activity of patients suffering from chronic obstructive bronchopneumonopathy (COBP).

The authors subjected 66 patients suffering from COBP with chronic respiratory insufficiency (22 with EGA values within standard limits, 44 with irregular PO2 and PCO2 values) to an electroencephalography with BEAM (brain electrical activity mapping). In the absence of clinically noticeable symptoms or neurologic signs of central type, more than 65% of the patients showed an increase of slow activities together with a reduction of the alpha activity presumably imputable only to the respiratory pathology.

[Bronchopulmonary carcinoids: neoplasms with attenuated malignancy or true and proper malignant tumors?]. / Carcinoidi broncopolmonari: neoplasie a malignità attenuata o veri e propri tumori maligni?

The authors, in reporting their series of 6 bronchopulmonary carcinoids, dwell upon the criteria used to classify such neoplasms pointing out the related diagnostic problems. The presence of metastases and/or local recurrences as well as the impossibility to define the aggressiveness of the tumor brought the authors to consider such tumors as malignant. They conclude for a surgical approach which should be conservative: segmentectomy and lobectomy in elective procedures, whereas pneumonectomy and endoscopic resection should be reserved to particular cases.

A study of hand preference in myasthenia gravis.

A recent study reported an association between left-handedness and some pathologies, such as autoimmune diseases, including myasthenia gravis (MG). We studied hand preference in 102 patients with a generalized autoimmune form of myasthenia gravis and in a control group of 178 subjects. We employed Oldfield's inventory with a few minor modifications. The questionnaire also asked the hand preference of patients' and controls' relatives. For each subject, the laterality quotient (LQ) was calculated and submitted to ANOVA. The frequency of left-handedness in controls was similar to that reported in the literature. Although left-handedness occurred less often in myasthenics, the difference between the two groups was not significant. Also the frequency of left-handedness in relatives of myasthenic patients did not differ from that observed in controls.